Bill Text: MS HB161 | 2017 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Child Care Advisory Council; create.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)
Status: (Failed) 2017-01-31 - Died In Committee [HB161 Detail]
Download: Mississippi-2017-HB161-Introduced.html
MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2017 Regular Session
To: Public Health and Human Services; Revenue and Expenditure General Bills
By: Representative Clarke
House Bill 161
AN ACT TO CREATE THE CHILD CARE ADVISORY COUNCIL TO ADVISE THE DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES DIVISION OF EARLY CHILDHOOD CARE AND DEVELOPMENT ON THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE CHILD CARE AND DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT STATE PLAN; TO PROVIDE THE MEMBERSHIP OF THE COUNCIL; TO PROVIDE THE TERMS OF THE MEMBERS; TO PROVIDE PROCEDURES FOR CALLING AND HOLDING MEETINGS; TO PROVIDE THE DUTIES OF THE COUNCIL; TO REQUIRE THE COUNCIL TO SUBMIT A REPORT OF ITS FINDINGS TO THE LEGISLATURE; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI:
SECTION 1. There is created the Child Care Advisory Council. The purpose of the council is to advise the Division of Early Childhood Care and Development at the Mississippi Department of Human Services on the development of the Child Care and Development Block Grant state plan and all aspects of the implementation of the Child Care and Development Block Grant child care program and spending priorities.
SECTION 2. (1) The council shall be composed of the following twelve (12) members:
(a) Eight (8) licensed child care providers who participate in the Child Care Subsidy program;
(b) Three (3) parents who receive a child care subsidy at the time of that parent's appointment, appointed by the director of the Division of Early Childhood Care and Development; and
(c) One (1) parent or other consumer of child care services who does not receive a child care subsidy, appointed by the Governor.
(2) The child care providers will be selected from child care organizations such as Delta Licensed Providers, Child Care Directors Network, Mississippi Early Childhood Association, Mississippi Low Income Child Care Initiative, and Mississippi Early Childhood Alliance. Council members must be represented from each Congressional District.
SECTION 3. (1) The director of the Division of Early Childhood Care and Development shall call the first meeting of the council by July 1, 2017. At the first meeting, the council shall select by majority vote a chair, vice chair, secretary, assistant secretary and treasurer from among its members to serve a term of one (1) year. All other members serve three (3) year terms and may continue to serve beyond their terms until their successors are appointed. Each office may be reelected to subsequent terms. If a vacancy occurs before a term has expired, the vacancy must be filled for the remainder of the unexpired term by the authority who made the original appointment.
(2) The chair shall call subsequent meetings. The council may meet as often as determined necessary by the council members, and must meet at least four (4) times per year at a date, time and place determined by the council.
(3) The chair, in collaboration with the Department of Human Services, may call a special meeting to address an issue that, in the judgment of the chair, cannot wait until the next regularly scheduled meeting.
SECTION 4. The council must have access to all records of the Department of Human Services regarding child care programs and spending priorities administered under this act, except for information that identifies individuals who receive assistance under this chapter.
SECTION 5. The council shall have the following duties:
(a) Advise the Division of Early Childhood Care and Development on the development of the Child Care and Development Block Grant state plan, and all aspects of the implementation of the Child Care and Development Block Grant child care program including spending and contracts;
(b) Advise the Division of Early Childhood Care and Development regarding the preparation of any application, amendment, waiver request, plan or other document submitted by the Department of Human Services to the federal government regarding child care funding and recommend changes to the submission when appropriate; and
(c) Advise director of the Division of Early Childhood Care and Development how the state can better use all the funds related to the child care subsidy including the Quality Rate and Improvement System spending and contracts and Temporary Assistance for Needy Families funds for the child care subsidy program in order to serve more children and develop a funding proposal that will prioritize serving more children that qualify.
SECTION 6. By October 15, 2018 the council shall submit an annual report to the Governor's office and the standing committees of the Legislature having jurisdiction over human services matters. The report must describe the council's activities for the year regarding its duties and must outline policy changes recommended by the council, along with necessary implementing legislation. All reports are public information and shall be posted on the Mississippi Department of Human Services website.
SECTION 7. The Department of Human Services shall provide staff and office supplies to the council within the existing resources of the department. The council may refuse these services and supplies and may accept and expend private funds to carry out its duties under this chapter.
SECTION 8. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2017.
